Whey protein for kids?

jimmycrackcorm

I've a young lad < 12 who is fairly active at sports but his diet is mainly carb based (i.e. he'll regularly only eat pasta or rice with a little bit of curry or tomato sauce (no meat / veg etc). I'm concerned that he doesn't get enough protein.

So I was thinking from reading in the fitness forums about people using why powder whether this might be a good option to add to some of his meals? Opinions as it is a real struggle to get him even to try anything and then it'll be a nibble followed by a rejection.

syklops

Leave him alone for now. When he is hungry he will eat. At 12 I weighed 4 stone. I ate nearly nothing. Then one day when I was about 13 and a half I got hungry, and started to eat, and I made up for the previous few years.

If you make a 'thing' of him not eating enough, it will become a 'thing' for him, a label, a condition, a flaw.

Let him sort himself out. If he comes saying he is hungry, or overly tired, go see a GP, before you do anything else. Then add some more natural protein to his diet, peas or sweetcorn for example.

Whey supplements, in my opinion, are really only for body builders and serious sportsmen.

jimmycrackcorm

The thing is that I notice in his sports that he doesn't seem to have the stamina or speed of others of the same build which I associate with an almost carb based diet.

Short of force feeding, there's not option of convincing him to eat peas.

oldat31

My 12 year old eats like a pig.... ALWAYS HUNGRY.... But only weighs about 4 stone.......

Hes a lazy **** like all kids his age and just wants to play computers... Maybe your kid is just not the sporty type???

Gummy Panda

Encourage him to drink milk or more milk.

MagicMarker

If he doesn't eat any meat or vegetables then that's a problem that needs to be addressed, giving him protein powder isn't going to do that. There's more to veg than just peas.

When I was 12 I was to eat what I was given or I didn't eat anything at all.

Eldoco

cottage cheese or some nuts mabe

Oryx

Nuts, baked beans, tuna fish (make into fish cakes), milk (flavour it with nesquik or make milky puddings), eggs in any form, there are many, many ways of getting a child to eat protein without resorting to whey, or going for obvious forms of meat if they dont like it. With a child I would definitely stick to regular 'whole' foods rather than any kind of supplement. I just think promoting normal eating is the better bet long term.

And you may need to introduce foods quite a few times before a child will get used to it, or even try it. I have a fussy eater aged 6, who took her first bite of beef burger the other day, having been offered it lots of times before. We nearly threw a party.

syklops

MagicMarker wrote: »

If he doesn't eat any meat or vegetables then that's a problem that needs to be addressed, giving him protein powder isn't going to do that. There's more to veg than just peas.

When I was 12 I was to eat what I was given or I didn't eat anything at all.

I cant believe this post got so many thanks. What a draconian attitude to food. Are you really advocating to the OP, that the child either eat the pasta, the sauce AND the meat, or he's not allowed anything?????

Not just bad advice, thats irresponsible.

OP, close this thread now, and go visit a GP in case you get any more ridiculous advice like the above.

You say he will eat sauce, why not blend a half dozen vegetables into the sauce. Even a couple of spoonfuls would be something. Also make a big thing out of milkshakes. Today is friday. When he comes home on Friday, tell him, as its Friday and the start of the weekend, your having a milkshake as a treat. Again, blend up 3 or 4 fruit, add a bit of ice cream, Ouila, he is getting good stuff with out realising it.

Stench Blossoms

syklops wrote: »

I cant believe this post got so many thanks. What a draconian attitude to food. Are you really advocating to the OP, that the child either eat the pasta, the sauce AND the meat, or he's not allowed anything?????

Not just bad advice, thats irresponsible.

OP, close this thread now, and go visit a GP in case you get any more ridiculous advice like the above.

You say he will eat sauce, why not blend a half dozen vegetables into the sauce. Even a couple of spoonfuls would be something. Also make a big thing out of milkshakes. Today is friday. When he comes home on Friday, tell him, as its Friday and the start of the weekend, your having a milkshake as a treat. Again, blend up 3 or 4 fruit, add a bit of ice cream, Ouila, he is getting good stuff with out realising it.

Hmmm I dunno. I went through a 'phase' at around the same age of not wanting to eat certain foods. Not for any particular reason other than 'I don't like them'

Soon snapped out of it when I was absolutely starving and there was nothing to eat in the house other than those foods.

I'm not saying you should ever force feed children or anything and if it's a case of he wants to be a vegetarian for humane reasons then leave him and encourage him to get protein from cheese, milk etc.

But if it's just because he's picky then I'd agree with 'eat what your given or go hungry'

Gummy Panda

syklops wrote: »

MagicMarker wrote: »

If he doesn't eat any meat or vegetables then that's a problem that needs to be addressed, giving him protein powder isn't going to do that. There's more to veg than just peas.

When I was 12 I was to eat what I was given or I didn't eat anything at all.

I cant believe this post got so many thanks. What a draconian attitude to food. Are you really advocating to the OP, that the child either eat the pasta, the sauce AND the meat, or he's not allowed anything?????

Not just bad advice, thats irresponsible.

OP, close this thread now, and go visit a GP in case you get any more ridiculous advice like the above.

You say he will eat sauce, why not blend a half dozen vegetables into the sauce. Even a couple of spoonfuls would be something. Also make a big thing out of milkshakes. Today is friday. When he comes home on Friday, tell him, as its Friday and the start of the weekend, your having a milkshake as a treat. Again, blend up 3 or 4 fruit, add a bit of ice cream, Ouila, he is getting good stuff with out realising it.

Eh?

The post addresses the main issue, the kid is eating no meat and veg.

MagicMarker

syklops wrote: »

I cant believe this post got so many thanks. What a draconian attitude to food. Are you really advocating to the OP, that the child either eat the pasta, the sauce AND the meat, or he's not allowed anything?????

Errrrr, no.

Transform

yup - we put whey protein into the smoothies we make for all the family and our 4 yr old girl loves them - two scoups whey, coconut water or even apple juice, handful or two of frozen berries and a banana. She loves getting involved in making them.

We also have a rule that what goes on the plate MUST be tasted and she is free to not eat it but MUST taste what goes on every plate of food.

syklops

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Hmmm I dunno. I went through a 'phase' at around the same age of not wanting to eat certain foods. Not for any particular reason other than 'I don't like them'

Soon snapped out of it when I was absolutely starving and there was nothing to eat in the house other than those foods.

I'm not saying you should ever force feed children or anything and if it's a case of he wants to be a vegetarian for humane reasons then leave him and encourage him to get protein from cheese, milk etc.

But if it's just because he's picky then I'd agree with 'eat what your given or go hungry'

I was about to PM you and ask you to come to this thread and be a voice of reason.

Stench, are you seriously advocating, "have what you want / have what you feel like having, or have nothing?" Considering the OPs initial concern is the childs performance at sports, that really isn't going to fix things is it? If there is any underlining physical reason for the child not wanting to eat then he will become under-nourished. If there is any under-lining psychological reason for him not choosing to eat, then he could well develop food-related issues later in life. There is no need for an all or nothing policy.

The Hipporatic Oath states, "First do no wrong". So please don't do anything either way until you think there is a real problem. If you think there is a real problem, go and visit a GP.

syklops

MagicMarker wrote: »

If he doesn't eat any meat or vegetables then that's a problem that needs to be addressed, giving him protein powder isn't going to do that. There's more to veg than just peas.

When I was 12 I was to eat what I was given or I didn't eat anything at all.

Are you really advocating to the OP, that the child either eat the pasta, the sauce AND the meat, or he's not allowed anything?????

MagicMarker wrote:

Errrrr, no.

Then what are you advocating?

MagicMarker

syklops wrote: »

Then what are you advocating?

That a <12 year old shouldn't be given whey protein instead of actual food, and that the root cause of the problem be addressed.

Stench Blossoms

syklops wrote: »

I was about to PM you and ask you to come to this thread and be a voice of reason.

Stench, are you seriously advocating, "have what you want / have what you feel like having, or have nothing?" Considering the OPs initial concern is the childs performance at sports, that really isn't going to fix things is it? If there is any underlining physical reason for the child not wanting to eat then he will become under-nourished. If there is any under-lining psychological reason for him not choosing to eat, then he could well develop food-related issues later in life. There is no need for an all or nothing policy.

The Hipporatic Oath states, "First do no wrong". So please don't do anything either way until you think there is a real problem. If you think there is a real problem, go and visit a GP.

No I don't think that's what I'm advocating.

You and I both know that there is numerous threads on here with people looking for advice saying 'I don't like veg' and people here say 'Cop on and just eat them'

So I don't really know what the difference is here. Sure he's a child but if this isn't sorted now he'll have problems in later life.

But I 100% agree with you. If he thinks there's a problem he should be going to his doctor. I was just looking at it at the 'picky spoiled' child angle.

syklops

MagicMarker wrote: »

That a <12 year old shouldn't be given whey protein instead of actual food, and that the root cause of the problem be addressed.

Well I agree with both of these comments. Sorry if I came across strong, Im in a thoroughly bad mood today for some reason. I just seemed to see the advice of an "all or nothing" approach which in my opinion would just exacerbate the issue if there is one.

jimmycrackcorm

MagicMarker wrote: »

That a <12 year old shouldn't be given whey protein instead of actual food, and that the root cause of the problem be addressed.

Just to clarify things. I'm not suggesting that he gets protein only from whey powder. e.g. he won't eat chicken (bar McD's nuggets) but we will make normal chicken korma and blend it; he'll eat that as long as we don't say it has chicken it - can't tell the difference.

I'm more thinking, given that he'll drink a smoothie, could I add some flavoured why to that, for example, to replace a pre-match coco-pops breakfast...?

gosuckonalemon

This is a simple parenting issue.

For you not to educate/encourage/insist that your child eats healthily is tantamount to child neglect/abuse.

Instead of giving your child powdered substitutes train your child to eat real food and respect the importance of a balanced diet.

If they don't learn to eat healthy, they never will.

Be a responsible parent please, for your child's sake.

Mellor

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

So I was thinking from reading in the fitness forums about people using why powder whether this might be a good option to add to some of his meals?

Whey for kids = Milk

There's no harm in using flavoured whey to make milkshakes occasionally. But don't forget its just dried milk protein.

You are right to address an avoidance of protein.
Start with foods he like and add meat from there. Like the blended korma.
Make pasta with meat sauce (blending spag bol might be easiest) and not just tomato. Use it as a topping on pizzas.

My brother would only eat McDs nuggets and fries for a while too. I used to make a homemade version, chicken tenders with roast vegetable fries (potato, squash, parsnip etc), plus ketchup for dipping.

syklops wrote: »

Let him sort himself out. If he comes saying he is hungry, or overly tired, go see a GP, before you do anything else. Then add some more natural protein to his diet, peas or sweetcorn for example.

Peas and sweetcorn aren't sources of protein.

syklops wrote: »

You say he will eat sauce, why not blend a half dozen vegetables into the sauce. Even a couple of spoonfuls would be something. Also make a big thing out of milkshakes. Today is friday. When he comes home on Friday, tell him, as its Friday and the start of the weekend, your having a milkshake as a treat. Again, blend up 3 or 4 fruit, add a bit of ice cream, Ouila, he is getting good stuff with out realising it.

That's a way of sneaking fruit and veg into his diet but it still doesn't address the issue of lacking protein.

syklops

Peas and sweetcorn aren't sources of protein.

You are joking right? 100g of sweetcorn has about 4g of protein and the same amount of peas has about 6g.

Mellor

syklops wrote: »

You are joking right? 100g of sweetcorn has about 4g of protein and the same amount of peas has about 6g.

Exactly. That's almost nothing. I'm not really sure what your suggesting there. Not even close to being a good source of protein.

100g of chicken or beef has 25-30g.

syklops

Mellor wrote: »

Exactly. That's almost nothing. I'm not really sure what your suggesting there. Not even close to being a good source of protein.

100g of chicken or beef has 25-30g.

First off you said:

Peas and sweetcorn aren't sources of protein.

Which is incorrect.

100g of chicken or beef has 25-30g

If the child won't eat chicken, i assume he won't beef.

My point was, for someone who wont eat chicken or other protein laden meats, it should be relatively easy to blend up a vegetables rich in protein into a soup or sauce which he or she will eat.

colman1212

This thread is ridiculous.
The child is 12, Tell them to eat meat and vegtables for god sake.
You are calling vegtables rich in protein? The simple fact is that they are not rich in protein.
A vegtable shake cannot replace meat.

jimmycrackcorm

gosuckonan wrote: »

This is a simple parenting issue.

For you not to educate/encourage/insist that your child eats healthily is tantamount to child neglect/abuse.

Instead of giving your child powdered substitutes train your child to eat real food and respect the importance of a balanced diet.

If they don't learn to eat healthy, they never will.

Be a responsible parent please, for your child's sake.

What utter rubbish. Obviously you don't have kids.

Anyway I've made him the protein bars from the recipie in one of the threads here and it's replaced crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast. That's an improvement.

Mellor

syklops wrote: »

First off you said:

Peas and sweetcorn aren't sources of protein.

Which is incorrect.

Almost everything has some protein. Doesn't mean that they are all considered a "source if protein". This is really basic stuff.
I'm not sure if you are being pedantic because peas actually have a tiny amount of protein, or if you think that 5g/100g is adequate.

My point was, for someone who wont eat chicken or other protein laden meats, it should be relatively easy to blend up a vegetables rich in protein into a soup or sauce which he or she will eat.

I know what you point was. And it didn't make sense. You are suggesting he replace meat with veg. To replace a 100-200g of chicken from a meal. He'd need 500g-1kg of peas and carrots. You honestly think that's a solution?

ebixa82

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

What utter rubbish. Obviously you don't have kids.

Anyway I've made him the protein bars from the recipie in one of the threads here and it's replaced crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast. That's an improvement.

So you're not going to encourage or educate your child to eat foods rich in protein, instead make him "protein bars".

Well done!

PS Be sure to teach him to make these as he'll need them when he's older and no longer living at home.

syklops

Mellor wrote: »

I know what you point was. And it didn't make sense. You are suggesting he replace meat with veg. To replace a 100-200g of chicken from a meal. He'd need 500g-1kg of peas and carrots. You honestly think that's a solution?

Christ give me strength. This thread IS ridiculous.

I didnt suggest he replace anything with anything. In fact I suggested he go see a professional. According to the OP, the child will not eat meat. I suggested topping up his protein intake in the form of vegetables that have protein in them. Peas for example can be blended very easily into a soup, a sauce, hell you could even put them in a milkshake. Peas also have other benefits aside from protein which In my opinion would be more beneficial to a growing child than a protein shake.

I suggest you read the original post and then read my posts.

The OP himself has now replaced crunchy nut corn flakes with homemade protein bars which in my opinion is making the situation even worse.

Rossin

i didn't eat veg till i was about 26, i wouldn't worry about it

ebixa82

Rossin wrote: »

i didn't eat veg till i was about 26, i wouldn't worry about it

You had an unhealthy diet lacking in essential vitamins and nutrients yet you survived. Well done.

I smoked til I was 27. Still alive now.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

Rossin

ebixa82 wrote: »

You had an unhealthy diet lacking in essential vitamins and nutrients yet you survived. Well done.

I smoked til I was 27. Still alive now.

What i'm saying is it made no odds as to how healthy I turned out and I don't believe I was unhealthy then either.

He'll eat veg/meat eventually, encourage him, if he's eating nuggets he's halfway there. im pretty sure I wouldnt eat a chicken korma when I was 12 ,the name itself would be enough to have scared me off

unfortunately it wont make him any better at sport now or at any stage

basically what this guy said....

This thread is ridiculous.
The child is 12, Tell them to eat meat and vegtables for god sake.

ebixa82

Rossin wrote: »

What i'm saying is it made no odds as to how healthy I turned out and I don't believe I was unhealthy then either.

How can you be sure of that? Pre-teen is a very important stage in a child's physical and mental development.

Being deficient in protein at this stage in life may well have a detrimental effect on the child.

maamom

The whey protein idea certainly is ridiculous. When children are young they really dont know what they like and dont like. It is about developing tastes for different foods. You have to try a food something like 10 times before you like it so this isnt a matter of force feeding its about putting the food on the plate and tasting it. As others have said if he is hungry he will at least try it.

El_Dangeroso

MagicMarker wrote: »

When I was 12 I was to eat what I was given or I didn't eat anything at all.

Me too, seriously, when did this stop happening.. I'm not that old am I?:o

Indulging food pickiness as a kid results in picky eaters as adults.

No one is staying starve the child but hunger is a pretty good sauce!